The guard looked at her, suspicion clear in his eyes. "I'm sorry, miss, but without an invitation, we cannot let you inside," he said, his voice remaining firm. Emma could feel the eyes of the other guards turning toward her, and soon after, one of them stepped forward, his face showing unmistakable contempt.
"Don't pretend, miss," this guard spoke up, his tone laced with undisguised disdain. "Do you think we don't know what you're doing here? People like you are a dime a dozen, coming in just to chase after wealthy men."
Those words rang out like a slap in the air, but Emma remained calm. She looked into the guard's eyes, her gaze steady. Instead of reacting in anger, she simply stayed silent, letting the accusations wash over her like meaningless noise.
"I'm serious, miss. If you don't have an invitation, please leave," another guard chimed in, his tone now devoid of any courtesy. "We don't want any trouble with people like you."
A few chuckles arose from the group of guards, as if they had seen too many cases like this before. They looked at Emma as though she were just another opportunist trying to exploit the glamor of the event. Emma said nothing, simply standing there with a calm gaze, as if those words couldn't touch her.
But just as the tension was escalating, a deep, warm voice called out from behind. "What's going on here?"
The voice belonged to Mr. Meller.
When Emma turned and saw Mr. Meller, she instantly changed her expression, as if genuinely surprised to see him there. "Mr. Meller!" she beamed, stepping forward gracefully. "I didn't expect to see you here. I'm Emma, the president of Alens Corporation. It seems I may have come to the wrong place."
Mr. Meller was momentarily stunned, but then his face quickly registered astonishment and confusion. "You... you're the president of Alens Corporation?" he stammered, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Emma nodded slightly, her eyes still holding a smile. "Yes, unfortunately, I left my invitation at home, but I'm sure you wouldn't mind letting me in, would you?"
Mr. Meller's demeanor changed instantly. His face softened, and a sycophantic smile spread across his lips. "Of course, Miss Emma. I apologize for the inconvenience. This must be a misunderstanding. You're a special guest, and it would be my honor to invite you inside."
He then turned to the group of guards, his expression filled with annoyance and anger. "Do you have eyes but fail to see? This is Miss Emma, the president of Alens Corporation! How could you not recognize her?"
The guards, who had been so stern and unyielding moments before, now looked flustered, bowing their heads and apologizing profusely. "We're truly sorry, Miss. We didn't know..."
"Didn't know?" Mr. Meller nearly shouted. "If you don't know, then open your eyes and learn! This is..."
Emma stepped forward, gently touching Mr. Meller's arm, her voice soft yet persuasive. "Mr. Meller, don't be upset with them. They're just doing their job. I don't want to cause any more trouble. Let's just let this go, shall we?"
Mr. Meller looked at Emma, his face softening immediately. "You're so generous, Miss Emma. I truly appreciate your understanding. Allow me to escort you inside; I'm sure everyone will be delighted to have you at the party."
Emma nodded and followed Mr. Meller as he led her into the grand hall. The shimmering light from the crystal chandeliers reflected off her evening gown, making her stand out amidst the crowd. She could feel the eyes turning toward her, some admiring, some curious but none of it concerned her.
At the same time, Emma noticed Mr. Meller's gaze as he looked at her. It wasn't just admiration; there was a clear hint of desire. His eyes lingered on her, greedily taking in every detail of her figure, as if he were committing it to memory.
Emma smiled lightly, not revealing any emotion on her face. She had encountered many men like Mr. Meller before men with power and wealth who were easily captivated by beauty and confidence.
"Miss Emma, you are truly an extraordinary woman," Mr. Meller said as they reached a secluded corner of the hall. "I greatly admire your talent and determination. Someone like you is bound to be incredibly successful."
"Thank you, Mr. Meller," Emma replied, the smile never leaving her face. "I'm just trying to do my best. But having the support and recognition of people like you is a great honor for me."
Mr. Meller laughed heartily, his eyes never leaving Emma's face. "I believe we could work very well together, Miss Emma. Perhaps we should discuss more about your future projects. I would be very eager to assist you with anything you need."
Emma nodded, her eyes becoming sharper. "I'm very willing, Mr. Meller. But perhaps we should let the party proceed naturally. I wouldn't want to impose too much on you tonight."
"Oh, don't worry about that," Mr. Meller said quickly, as if afraid of losing the opportunity. "I'm always ready to make time for you. We could meet after the party if that suits you."
Emma tilted her head slightly, pretending to consider. "I'll think about it, Mr. Meller."
"Of course, Miss Emma," Mr. Meller replied, though his eyes remained fixed on her. Emma smiled gently, following Mr. Meller.
As they moved, Mr. Meller would occasionally glance back at Emma, his eyes tracking her every movement with undisguised fascination. He probably didn't realize that he himself was just a pawn in Emma's carefully laid plan. She wouldn't let any opportunity slip through her fingers, and Mr. Meller was just one of the many pieces in her game.